Code and Theory, Kenny Mayne, Snapple Work to Preserve the High Five

The latest episode in Snapple’s Re-enFACTments series features ESPN old-schooler and sports history buff Kenny Mayne, addressing Snapple Real Fact #376: “The ‘high five’ was introduced by a professional baseball player in 1977.” Since then, Mayne believes high fives have gotten shakier, and he sets out to teach some lucky souls proper high-five etiquette.

If you need confirmation that high-fives are a modern-day challenge, you need only spend a minute on Buzzfeed with the sport of basketball, where many high-fives have been lost on the court.

We all know to watch the elbow to ensure a solid hand collision, but according to Mayne, a good high-five should also be “uncalled for.” Personally I disagree, since I appreciate any cue that helps me avoid high-five humiliation, and yelling “HIGH FIIIIVE!” can only add to an enthusiastic situation. But presumably, to be a member of Mayne’s National High-Five Preservation Society, you have to abide by his rules.

This spot is definitely weak in comparison to the Snapple re-enFACTment we covered, in which we learned all about the very real sport of ostrich racing. Snapple has set an impressive precedent for itself.